Apparatus and method for game

ABSTRACT

A tossable disk for playing a game is provided. The disk may be comprised of a first ring comprised of a curved top outer surface, a second ring comprised of a curved bottom outer surface, a top indented inner surface substantially at the center of the first ring, and a bottom indented inner surface substantially at the center of the second ring. The first ring is attached to the second ring at a peripheral edge. The first ring, the second ring, the top indented inner surface, the bottom indented inner surface and the peripheral edge together may provide a closed structure, and together may enclose a cavity. The disk may be thrown at or through a target device having a net, a top member, and a bottom member. The net may be fixed to the target device in a manner, which allows the disk to pass through the net and between the top member and the bottom member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus concerninggames.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various games known in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide one or morethrowable inflatable disk games. Typically, in each of these throwableinflatable disk games, an inflatable disk, disk device, which may becalled a “velocidisk” is thrown towards various shaped targets in asimilar fashion to the Frisbee (trademarked). These targets differdepending upon the type of game played.

Typically the “velocidisk” throwable inflatable disk in accordance withone or more embodiments of the present invention, has the shape of ablood platelet or a bagel. Various embodiments may have contouringshapes to accommodate aerodynamic capabilities.

The disk may have a hollow interior, which is inflatable with airinjected through a valve that is placed in the body. The disk may beeasily controlled when thrown, especially over short distances.

The disk may have an outer rim fits well when grasped in a human being'shand. The outer rim may give a firm grip of the disk before it isdeployed making it more precise to land on a target.

The disk may also include dimples or substantially circularindentations, which aid in the aerodynamic stability of the disk inflight. The disk provides the feeling of throwing a football instead ofa flimsy plastic disk like the Frisbee (trademarked). A football can bedifficult to throw, however the disk of embodiments of the presentinvention can be thrown easily like a Frisbee (trademarked) and stillhas the popular culture look of a football.

The disk can be used in a number of different games. These games mayhave rules somewhat similar to an ultimate Frisbee (Trademarked) game,basketball, soccer, football, tennis, and volleyball, for example.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides apparatus comprising adisk. The disk may be comprised of a first ring comprised of a curvedtop outer surface, a second ring comprised of a curved bottom outersurface, a top indented inner surface substantially at the center of thefirst ring, and a bottom indented inner surface substantially at thecenter of the second ring. The first ring is attached to the second ringat a peripheral edge. The first ring, the second ring, the top indentedinner surface, the bottom indented inner surface and the peripheral edgetogether may provide a closed structure, and together may enclose acavity. The disk may be substantially in the shape of a donut having acenter, with the top indented inner surface and the bottom indentedinner surface overlapping the center of the donut. A plurality ofcircular indentations or dimples may be located on the top outer surfaceof the first ring. Each of the plurality of indentations may besubstantially circular.

The disk may be made of two layers of material: an outer part or layerand an inner part or layer. The outer part may be made of texturedleather segments, having a texture similar to footballs and basketballs,stitched to the shape of the said object much like a football ismanufactured. The inner part of the disk can be of an inflatable butylrubber inserted in the outer leather casing before the disk is inflated.

The disk may also be made of plastic made by injection and blow moldmolding process. This process may be used when quantity is desired overquality in mass production. Molding it may be desired for various sizesof the disk to be able to cater to the small hands of a youth.

Other materials such as a material such as used for a Nerf (trademarked)product is also suitable. The typically symmetrical design of the diskis suitable to be made of Nerf (trademarked) foam material.

An apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionmay also include a target device having a net, a top member, and abottom member. The net may be fixed to the target device in a manner,which allows the disk to pass through the net and between the top memberand the bottom member. The apparatus may be further comprised of aplaying surface, wherein the target device is fixed to the playingsurface. The playing surface may be a tennis playing surface or abasketball playing surface, for example,

One or more embodiments of the present invention also provide a method,which may include the steps of throwing a disk, such as previouslydescribed, through a target device. The target device may be fixed to aplaying surface as also previously described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a disk in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional perspective view of the disk of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional side view of the disk of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a diagram of a first game playing environment for use withthe disk of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of a second game playing environment for use withthe disk of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of part of a device for use in thesecond game playing environment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a diagram of a third game playing environment for use withthe disk of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of part of a device for use in the thirdgame playing environment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows a side view of part of the device of FIG. 8 along with thedisk of FIG. 1 shown at different points in time;

FIG. 10 shows a fourth game playing environment for use with the disk ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of part of a device for use in thefourth game playing environment of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 shows a side view of part of the device of FIG. 8 along with thedisk of FIG. 1 shown at different points in time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a disk 10 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a cross sectionalperspective view of the disk 10. FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional sideview of the disk 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the disk 10 includes a central indented topregion 12 a, a top inner surface 14 a, a top outer surface 16 a, acentral indented bottom region 12 b, a bottom inner surface 14 b, and abottom outer surface 16 b. The top outer surface 16 a is connected tothe bottom outer surface 16 b at a peripheral edge 17. The shape of thedisk 10 is generally a torus, however, in at least one embodiment, thecentral indented top region 12 a and bottom region 12 b have surfacefeatures. The closest resemblance to the disk 10 in nature is perhapsthe blood platelets of human hemoglobin. The disk 10 may also resemble abagel without a hole at the center

Each of the top outer surface 16 a, top inner surface 14 a, bottom innersurface 14 b, bottom outer surface 16 b, central indented top region 12a, central indented bottom region 12 b, and the peripheral edge 17 maybe made of two layers of material: an outer part or layer and an innerpart or layer. The outer part may be made of textured leather segments,having a texture similar to footballs and basketballs, stitched to theshape of the said object much like a football is manufactured. The innerpart can be of an inflatable butyl rubber inserted in the outer leathercasing before the disk 10 is inflated.

The disk 10 may also be made of plastic made by injection and blow moldmolding process. This process may be used when quantity is desired overquality in mass production. Molding it may be desired for various sizesof the disk 10 to be able to cater to the small hands of a youth.

Other materials such as a material such as used for a Nerf (trademarked)product is also suitable. The typically symmetrical design of the disk10 is suitable to be made of Nerf (trademarked) foam material.

The top outer surface 16 a and the bottom outer surface 16 b have aplurality of circular indentations. The top outer surface 16 a has aplurality of substantially circular indentations. The plurality ofindentations form circles or substantially circular patterns 18 a, 18 b,18 c, 18 d, 18 e, 18 f, and 18 g. Each of the circles 18 a-g has aplurality of indentations. The indentations are friction dimples. Theprimary purpose of the indentations is to generate a turbulent airdisturbance just off the leading edge, such as edge 17, of the disksurface on top, such as top outer surface 16 a, and bottom, such as thebottom outer surface 16 b. The faster the spin the more turbulent air isproduced. This disturbance causes the disk 10 to be more stable inflight than without its presence. Without the turbulent air disturbance,the disk 10 will tend to veer off early on during the flight to the leftdue to the prevailing forces of gravity and center of pressure fightingagainst each other. The so-called friction dimples or circularindentations partially help balance these two forces leading to a morelevel flight during the initial and middle trajectory. The secondarypurpose would be that the circular indentations provide a grip to thepalm of the thrower. These dimples or circular indentations are anexaggeration of the dimples in the likes of footballs and basketball inthat they serve similar purpose.

The bottom outer surface 16 b has a plurality of substantially circularindentations, which may be a mirror image of the substantially circularindentations located on the top outer surface 16 a. The plurality ofindentations forms circles or substantially circular patterns similar tocircles or substantially circular patters 18 a, 18 b, 18 c, 18 d, 18 e,18 f, and 18 g. Each of the circles on the bottom outer surface 16 b hasa plurality of indentations, similar to the top outer surface 16 a.

The disk 10 has a hollow cavity 22, which is enclosed by the surfaces 12a, 14 a, 16 a, 14 b, 16 b, and the edge 17. Air can be pumped into thecavity 22 through a valve 24 and when the valve 24 is closed the cavity22 is sealed and no air comes out of the cavity 22. The cavity 22 mayinclude left region 22 a, central region 22 b, and right region 22 c.

The disk 10 may be made of two layers of material. The outer beingleather segments stitched to the shape of the said object much like afootball is manufactured. The inner part can be of an inflatable butylrubber inserted in the outer leather casing before inflating. The disk10 may also be made of plastic made by an injection and blow moldmolding process. This process may be used when quantity is desired overthe quality in mass production. Molding it may be desired for varioussizes of the disk 10 to be able to cater to the small hands of a youth.Other materials such as the Nerf (trademarked) product are alsosuitable. The symmetrical design of the disk 10 is suitable to be madeof Nerf (trademarked) foam material.

FIG. 4 shows a diagram of a first game playing environment 100 for usewith the disk 10 of FIG. 1. The game playing environment 100 may besimilar to a tennis court. The environment 100 may include a playingsurface 101, which includes rectangular regions 102, 104, 106, 108, 110,and 112. The environment 100 may also include net 114, which includesnet portions 116 and 118. Also provided are poles 120 and 122 forholding up the net 114. The net portion 116 may be connected to the pole120 at an end 116 a and the net portion 116 may be connected to the pole122 at an end 116 b. Similarly, the net portion 118 may be connected tothe pole 120 at an end 118 a and the net portion 118 may be connected tothe pole 122 at an end 118 b. The net 114 is connected so that the bothportions 114 and 118 are taut. There is a space or gap 117 between thenet portion 116 and 118.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the disk 10is sized so that it can fit through the gap 117 of the net 114. A firstplayer 120 a playing on a side 101 a of the net 114 can attempt to throwthe disk 10 through the gap 117, from the side 101 a to the side 101 b.A second player 120 b playing on a side 101 b of the net 114 can attemptto catch the throw from the first player 120 a and attempt to throw thedisk 10 through the gap 117 from the side 101 b to the side 101 a. Side101 b has boundary lines 103 a, 103 b, and 103 c.

A game can be played by using the game playing environment 100 of FIG.4. The game may be called “Cambio Velocidisk”. This game can be playedusing rules similar to tennis. The court dimensions of the game playingenvironment 100 may be similar to conventional volleyball courts. Thegame, with reference to FIG. 4, may be played as singles (two players)or doubles (two sets of two players, for a total of four players). Thegame of FIG. 4 can be played on a rectangular court having any one ofthe following surfaces: grass, dirt, wood and/or concrete floors. One ormore of the following game rules may also be used for “CambioVelocidisk” of FIG. 4:

-   -   (a) Only a player's hands may be used to deliver, toss or throw        the disk.    -   (b) The right to serve may be decided by a toss of a coin.    -   (c) Opponents would typically stand on opposite sides of the net        114.    -   (d) A “Cambio Velocidisk” game is commenced with a server, on        one side of the net 114, throwing a disk 10 through the gap 117        between the net portions 116 and 118. The player who delivers        (tosses or throws) the disk 10 to start the point is called the        server. The player who stands opposite from the server is the        receiver.    -   (e) If the server to start the point lands the disk 10 outside        the boundary lines (such as if server from side 101 a servers to        side 101 b and then disk 10 lands outside boundary lines 103 a,        103 b, and 103 c), it is ruled a fault and a second serve is        given.    -   (f) In one embodiment, each player must release the disk 10        immediately (such as two seconds) after each catch. Failure to        initiate disk release within two seconds, in one embodiment,        will result in a turnover.    -   (g) A player has an “advantage” when that player is the one        serving.    -   (h) A server of the disk 10 is at an advantage to score.    -   (i) A “fumble” occurs when a player drops the disk 10 to the        ground (such as so the disk 10 contacts the game playing floor        101 or a ground region outside the game playing surface 101,        which renders the disk 10 “dead” (which means that the server        has to give up the disk 10 and the advantage or service).    -   (j) The receiving side has to force the server to fumble in        order to gain an advantage or the right to serve.    -   (k) During a volley, each player aims the disk 10 to the        opposite side of the net 114 (if the player is on side 101 a,        he/she tosses disk 10 to side 101 b, to a location to make it        difficult for the opponent to catch the disk 10, i.e. to attempt        to make the opponent fumble).    -   (l) A server scores a point for every forced fumble by the        opposing player.    -   (m) A catch is made when a player successfully takes control of        the disk 10 without dropping it.    -   (n) In one embodiment, a player is allowed four steps as soon as        the disk 10 is caught. Any more steps cause a foul. When the        greater than four steps foul is committed twice, a score is        given to the opposing player.    -   (o) A disk 10 that lands on the line, such as one of lines 103        a, 103 b, or 103 c when throwing to side 101 b is in bounds        resulting in a point or an advantage.    -   (p) If a disk 10 hits the net 114 during a point and goes into        the opponent's court (i.e. the disk 10 is throw from, for        example, side 101 a to side 101 b), the disk 10 is in play.    -   (q) Any player who touches the net 114 or bounces the disk 10        off the net 114 is at fault.    -   (r) Failure to serve the disk 10 between the net portions 116        and 118 successfully causes a fault.    -   (s) In case of a double fault, a score is given to the opposing        player.    -   (t) In one embodiment, a game will be played to twenty-five        points.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of a second game playing environment 200 for usewith the disk 10 of FIG. 1. The environment 200 includes a circularsurface 201. The circular surface 201 includes outer sections 202, 204,206, 208, 210, and 212, inner sections 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, and 224,and central circular section 226. The sections 202-226 are optionalareas for children. The sections 202-226 may be filled with letters,numbers, pictorial representations of animals, map of the world, just toname a few. A game such as MONOPOLY (trademarked) can be incorporated inthe system. A device 300 including a pole 340 is fixed at the center ofthe central circular section 226. The environment 200 also includes freethrow lines 214 a, 216 a, 218 a, 220 a, 222 a, and 224 a, and a threepoint circle 228.

FIG. 6 shows a more detailed diagram of part of the device 300,including a portion of the pole 340. The device 300 includes top members310, 312, 314, and 316 which form a cross structure, and correspondingbottom members 330, 332, 334, and a member not shown which form acorresponding aligned and parallel cross structure. The device 300 alsoincludes a circular top member 326 and a circular bottom member 328. Thetop members 310, 312, 314, and 316 are connected to the circular topmember 326, and the bottom members 330, 332, 334, and a membercorresponding to member 316 are connected to the circular bottom member328.

An end of each of the members 310, 312, 314, and 316 are connected tothe pole 340. An end of each of the members 320, 322, 324, and a polecorresponding to pole 316 are connected to the pole 340. The device 300can be fixed, although it can also be movable. In at least oneembodiment the device 300 does not rotate. A peripheral net 317 isattached to the circular top member 326 but is not attached to thecircular bottom member 328. The peripheral net 317 includes net sections318, 320, 322, and 324.

A game played with the game environment 200 of FIG. 5 and the device 300of FIG. 6 may be called “Kardiak Velocidisk”. This game may be playedusing rules similar to basketball. One or more of the following rulesmay be used:

-   -   (a) There may be two teams and each team may have seven players.    -   (b) The court configuration may be of a circular type as shown        in FIG. 5.    -   (c) The court surface, or circular surface 201 can be grass,        dirt, wood and/or a concrete floor.    -   (d) The disk 10 may be thrown at any direction with one hand.    -   (e) The person in possession of the disk 10, in one embodiment,        must not stay stationary for over five seconds. Doing so will        cause a turnover.    -   (f) In one embodiment, a player must run with the disk 10. The        player may throw it at any spot.    -   (g) The person in possession of the disk 10, in one embodiment,        has five seconds to throw the disk 10.    -   (h) When a pass is not completed (meaning the disk 10 has bee        dropped so it contacts the surface 201, or a surface outside of        the surface 201), the defense takes over possession. The defense        becomes the offense and has to take the disk 10 out of bounds to        reset the play.    -   (i) The disk 10 may be intercepted by the opposing (defensive)        team or batted away to cause the disk 10 to be open for both        teams. The disk 10 on the ground, or surface 201, stays alive so        long as it is within bounds and can be picked up by either team.    -   (j) In one embodiment, the disk 10 must be held by the hand, and        the arms or body are not used for holding it.    -   (k) In one embodiment, tackling, striking, holding, tripping,        use of bad language, and/or pushing by a player result in a        foul.    -   (l) In one embodiment, a goal shall be made when the disk 10 is        thrown through the peripheral net 317 between the circular top        member 326 and the circular bottom member 328.    -   (m) In one embodiment, a two point field goal shot is made from        anywhere during play inside the three point circle, or inside        circle 228 in FIG. 5.    -   (n) A three point field goal shot is typically made from        anywhere outside the three point circle, or outside circle 228        in FIG. 5.    -   (o) A free throw, one point, can be awarded to an unguarded shot        taken from behind one of free throw lines 214 a-224 a and inside        three point circle 228 in FIG. 5, while the clock is stopped.    -   (p) In one embodiment, for a game with reference to FIGS. 5-6, a        referee shall be the judge of the players and shall note the        fouls and shall have power to disqualify players.    -   (q) In one embodiment, the referee shall be judge of the disk 10        and shall decide when the disk is in play, in bounds, to which        side it belongs, and shall keep the time. He or she may decide        when a goal has been made and keep count of the goals, with any        other duties that are usually performed by a referee.    -   (r) In one embodiment, the time shall be four fifteen minute        quarters, first and second being the first half, third and        fourth the second half.    -   (s) Typically, the side making the most goals in the time        allotted shall be the winner.    -   (t) In the case of a draw or tie the game may be continued,        after a break, for fifteen minutes.

FIG. 7 shows a diagram of a third game playing environment 400 for usewith the disk 10 of FIG. 1. The environment 400 includes a playingsurface 401 comprised of portions (or half courts) 402 and 404. The halfcourts 402 and 404 may be mirror images of each other. The playingsurface 401 may be substantially in the form of a full court basketballplaying surface or floor. The half courts 402 and 404 include threepoint lines 402 a and 404 a, respectively. The half court 402 alsoincludes lines 402 b, 402 c, 402 d, and 402 e, which are not typicallylocated on a basketball court, but which may be provided in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. Similarly the half court404 includes lines 404 b, 404 c, 404 d, and 404 e, which are nottypically located on a basketball court, but which may be provided inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A device 500,including a pole 504 is fixed at a location on the half court 402similar to a basketball pole on a half court of a basketball court. Asimilar device, including a pole may be fixed on the half court 404, butis not shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 shows a diagram of the device 500, including a portion of thepole 504. The device 500 includes a member 502, U-shaped members 506 and508, bracket 510 and net 512. The bracket 510 includes top member 510 a,bottom member 510 b, and side members 510 c and 510 d, which togethersurround an opening 510 e. The net 512 is attached to the top member 510a but is not attached to the bottom member 510 b or the side members 510c and 510 d. The member 502 is fixed at one end to U-shaped member 506and at another end to U-shaped member 508. The U-shaped members 506 and508 are fixed to bracket 510. The member 502 has a center which is fixedto one end of the pole 504.

A game for use with the game playing environment 400 of FIG. 7 and thedevice of FIG. 8 may be similar to the game referred to with referenceto FIGS. 5 and 6. The sections created by dividing lines 402 b-e and 404b-e are optional areas for children. They may be filled with letters,numbers, pictorial representations of animals, a map of the world, justto name a few possibilities. A game such as Monopoly (trademarked) canbe incorporated onto the playing surface 401.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of part of the device 500 of FIG. 8 along withthe disk of FIG. 1 shown at different points in time. The disk of FIG. 1is shown in dashed lines and identified as 550 a, 550 b, 550 c, 550 d,and 550 e at different points in time in FIG. 9. The disk of FIG. 1 isthrown in a direction D, shown in FIG. 9, and passes from the positionshown by 550 a to the position shown by 550 b. Next the disk of FIG. 1when it reaches the location shown by 550 c, impacts the net 512. Thiscauses the net 512 to deflect upwards to positions 512 a and then to 512b. The net 512 pivots about an edge 513 which is fixed to the top member510 a of the bracket 510. Next the disk of FIG. 1 goes throw locationsshown by 550 d and 550 e in FIG. 9. During the disk's flight frompositions 550 a-550 e, the disk passes through the opening 510 e inbracket 510 and drops down between the members 502 and 510 b.

A game, referring to FIGS. 7-9, may be called “Convex Velocidisk”, andin accordance with one embodiment may be played as follows:

-   -   (a) This game can be played using the same rules as basketball.    -   (b) The court dimensions for playing surface 401 shown in FIG.        7, may be similar to a conventional basketball court.    -   (c) There may be two teams, each of which may have seven        players.    -   (d) The surface 401 in FIG. 7 can be a rectangular court surface        of any type such as grass, dirt, wood and concrete floors.    -   (e) The disk 10 may be thrown at any direction with one hand.    -   (f) The person in possession of the disk 10 must not stay        stationary for over five seconds. Doing so will cause a        turnover.    -   (g) The person in possession of the disk 10, in one embodiment,        has five seconds to throw the disk 10.    -   (h) A player must run with the disk 10. The player may throw it        at any spot.    -   (i) When a pass is not completed (i.e. the disk 10 falls and        contacts the surface 401 or a ground surface outside the surface        401), the defense takes over possession. The defense becomes the        offense and has to take the disk 10 out of bounds to reset the        play.    -   (j) The disk 10 may be batted away from any player. The disk 10        that is batted away from a player can roll on the ground and        remains alive so long as it is within bounds, i.e. on the        playing surface 401, shown in FIG. 7, and can be picked up by        either team.    -   (k) In one embodiment, the disk 10 must be held by the hand, and        the arms or body must not be used for holding it.    -   (l) The disk 10 can be played by evading an opposing player,        moving the disk 10 by throwing, or handing the disk 10 to        another player.    -   (m) Tackling, striking, holding, tripping, use of bad language        and pushing result in a foul.    -   (n) A goal shall be made when the disk 10 is thrown through the        net 512 and between the top member 510 a and the bottom member        510 b.    -   (o) A two point field goal shot, can be made from anywhere        during play inside the three point arc, or three point lines 402        a and 404 a.    -   (p) A three point field goal shot is made from anywhere outside        the three point arc or outside three point lines 402 a and 404        a.    -   (q) A free throw-one point is awarded to an unguarded shot taken        from behind one of the free throw lines shown in FIG. 7, while a        clock is stopped.    -   (r) A referee may be the judge of the players and shall note the        fouls and shall have power to disqualify players.    -   (s) The referee may be judge of the disk 10 and may decide when        the disk 10 is in play, in bounds, to which side it belongs, and        may keep the time. He or she may decide when a goal has been        made and keep count of the goals, with any other duties that are        usually performed by a referee.    -   (t) The time may be four fifteen minute quarters, first and        second being the first half, third and fourth the second half.    -   (u) The side making the most goals in the entire game may be        declared the winner.    -   (v) In the case of a draw or tie, the game may be continued,        after a break, for fifteen minutes.

FIG. 10 shows a diagram of a fourth game playing environment 600 for usewith the disk 10 of FIG. 1. The game may be called “Field Velocidisk”.The environment 600 includes a playing surface 601 comprised of portions(or half fields) 602 and 604. The playing surface 601 has a half fieldline 606 a, side lines 606 b and 606 c, and base or end lines 606 d and606 e. The half fields 602 and 604 may be mirror images of each other.The playing surface 601 may be substantially in the form of a fullsoccer field with the markings of a basketball court. The word “court”is typically used when referring to similarities to a basketball court,and the word “field” is typically used when referring to the playingground in which “Field Velocidisk” is played on. The half fields 602 and604 include three point lines 602 a and 604 a, respectively. The halffield 602 also includes lines 602 b, 602 c, 602 d, and 602 e, which arenot typically located on a basketball court, but which may be providedin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Similarly thehalf field 604 includes lines 604 b, 604 c, 604 d, and 604 e, which arenot typically located on a basketball court, but which may be providedin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A device 700,including a pole 704 is fixed at a location on the half field 602similar to a basketball pole on a half court of a basketball court. Asimilar device may be fixed on the half field 404, but is not shown inFIG. 10.

FIG. 11 shows a diagram of a portion of the device 700. The device 700includes a member 702, a bracket 704, a net 706, and a pole 708. Thebracket 704 includes top member 704 a, bottom member 704 d, and sidemembers 704 b and 704 c. The net 706 is attached at its top to the topmember 704 a but is not attached to the bottom member 704 d, or to theside members 704 b and 704 c. The pole 708 is fixed to one end of member702, and an opposite end of member 702 is fixed to bottom member 704 d.

FIG. 12 shows a side view of part of the device 700 of FIG. 11 alongwith the disk of FIG. 1 shown at different points in time. The disk ofFIG. 1 is shown in dashed lines and identified as 750 a, 750 b, 750 c,750 d, and 750 e at different points in time in FIG. 12. The disk ofFIG. 1 is thrown in a direction D2, shown in FIG. 12, and passes fromthe position shown by 750 a to the position shown by 750 b, and then tothe position shown by 750 c. Next the disk of FIG. 1, when it reachesthe location shown by 750 d, impacts the net 706. This causes the net706 to deflect upwards to positions 706 a and then to 706 b. The net 706pivots about an edge 713 which is fixed to the top member 704 a of thebracket 704. Next the disk of FIG. 1 goes to location shown by 750 e inFIG. 9. During the disk's flight from positions shown by 750 a-750 e,the disk passes through the opening 704 e in bracket 704 and drops downover bottom member 704 d.

A game, for use with the game playing environment 600 of FIG. 10 and thedevice 700 of FIGS. 11 and 12 may be played as follows:

-   -   (a) The game can be played using the same rules as soccer.    -   (b) There may be two teams, each team including nine players.    -   (c) Typically the disk 10 is held in an individual's hand,        instead of the foot, to move the disk 10 around.    -   (d) The game, referring to FIGS. 10-12, can be played on a        rectangular field or surface of any type such as grass, dirt,        wood and/or concrete floors.    -   (e) The disk 10 may be thrown at any direction with one hand.    -   (f) The person in possession of the disk 10 must not stay        stationary for over five seconds. Doing so will cause a        turnover.    -   (g) A player must run with the disk 10. The player may throw it        at any spot.    -   (h) The person in possession of the disk 10 has ten seconds to        throw the disk 10.    -   (i) When a pass is not completed, the defense takes over        possession in the mid field, at around half field line 606 a.    -   (j) When a pass is not completed, the defense takes over        possession. The defense becomes the offense and has to start        over the play starting at midfield, at half field line 606 a, to        reset the play.    -   (k) The disk 10 may be intercepted by the opposing (defense)        team or batted away to cause the disk 10 to be available for        both teams. The disk 10 on the ground or surface 601 of FIG. 10,        stays alive so long as it is within bounds (i.e. within lines        606 b-e) and can be picked up by either team.    -   (l) The disk 10, in one embodiment, must be held by hand. In one        embodiment, the arms or body must not be used for holding it.    -   (m) A foul may be called for tackling, striking, holding,        tripping, use of bad language and/or pushing.    -   (n) A goal shall be made when the disk 10 is thrown through the        net 706 between the top member 704 a and the bottom member 704        d.    -   (o) In one embodiment, the referee shall be the judge of the        players and shall note the fouls and shall have power to        disqualify players.    -   (p) In one embodiment, the referee shall be the sole judge of        the disk 10 and shall decide when the disk 10 is in play, in        bounds, to which side it belongs, and shall keep the time. He or        she, in one embodiment, shall decide when a goal has been made        and keep count of the goals, with any other duties that are        usually performed by a referee.    -   (q) In one embodiment, the time shall be two ninety continuous        minutes, split between four periods.    -   (r) In one embodiment, the team making the most goals in that        time shall be the winner.    -   (s) In the case of a draw or tie the game may be continued,        after a break, for thirty minutes.

Although the invention has been described by reference to particularillustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of theinvention may become apparent to those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to include within this patent all such changes andmodifications as may reasonably and properly be included within thescope of the present invention's contribution to the art.

1. An apparatus comprising: A disk comprising: a first ring comprised ofa curved top outer surface; a second ring comprised of a curved bottomouter surface; a top indented inner surface substantially at the centerof the first ring; a bottom indented inner surface substantially at thecenter of the second ring; and the first ring attached to the secondring at a peripheral edge; and wherein the first ring, the second ring;the top indented inner surface, the bottom indented inner surface andthe peripheral edge together provide a closed structure, and togetherenclose a cavity.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the disk issubstantially in the shape of a donut having a center, with the topindented inner surface and the bottom indented inner surface overlappingthe center of the donut.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprisinga plurality of indentations located on the top outer surface of thefirst ring.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each of the plurality ofindentations is substantially circular.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the disk is made substantially an outer layer and an innerlayer; wherein the outer layer is made of a textured leather; andwherein the inner layer is made of butyl rubber.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising a target device having a net, a top member,and a bottom member; and wherein the net is fixed to the target devicein a manner, which allows the disk to pass through the net and betweenthe top member and the bottom member.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6further comprising a playing surface, wherein the target device is fixedto the playing surface.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the playingsurface is a tennis playing surface.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 whereinthe playing surface is a basketball playing surface.
 10. A methodcomprising the steps of: throwing a disk through a target device;wherein the disk is comprised of: a first ring comprised of a curved topouter surface; a second ring comprised of a curved bottom outer surface;a top indented inner surface substantially at the center of the firstring; a bottom indented inner surface substantially at the center of thesecond ring; and the first ring attached to the second ring at aperipheral edge; and wherein the first ring, the second ring; the topindented inner surface, the bottom indented inner surface and theperipheral edge together provide a closed structure, and togetherenclose a cavity.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the disk issubstantially in the shape of a donut having a center, with the topindented inner surface and the bottom indented inner surface overlappingthe center of the donut.
 12. The method of claim 10 wherein the disk iscomprised of a plurality of indentations located on the top outersurface of the first ring.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein each ofthe plurality of indentations is substantially circular.
 14. The methodof claim 10 wherein the disk is made substantially an outer layer and aninner layer; wherein the outer layer is made of a textured leather; andwherein the inner layer is made of butyl rubber.
 15. The method of claim10 wherein the target device has a net, a top member, and a bottommember; and the net is fixed to the target device in a manner, whichallows the disk to pass through the net and between the top member andthe bottom member.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising fixingthe target device is fixed to the playing surface.
 17. The method ofclaim 15 wherein the playing surface is a tennis playing surface. 18.The method of claim 17 wherein the playing surface is a basketballplaying surface.